Time out with Sokoto’s ace car designer

Bashar Aliyu, 25, is an exceptionally talented car designer and with over 800 models to his name, a potential superstar in the automobile industry. A former student of Government Day Secondary School, Dundaye in Sokoto, Aliyu said he started designing while in elementary school at the Mohammed Zako Model Primary School, Sokoto. “At primary four, […]

Bashar Aliyu, 25, is an exceptionally talented car designer and with over 800 models to his name, a potential superstar in the automobile industry.
A former student of Government Day Secondary School, Dundaye in Sokoto, Aliyu said he started designing while in elementary school at the Mohammed Zako Model Primary School, Sokoto.
“At primary four, I developed the idea of using pencil and paper to design cars and buildings which could fascinate people,” he recalled, adding that it does not take him more than 30 to 40 minutes to do a sketch.
After completing his secondary education in 2013, Aliyu had more for designing car models.
And this he did using a straw board, top board, pencil for sketches, a scissors for cutting, glass, and special rubber for interior decoration and fittings.
“I start by designing a floor board, the tyres, tyre hoods, side and front view, but I don’t fix the tyres until I finish every aspect of the car to avoid paint splashing on them,” he explained, adding that he gets his inspiration mostly from clouds, trees or any part of a building where water leakage causes a patch.
He said the front view of a vehicle is the most challenging aspect of the design. “It takes labour and good calculations to fix the net that beautifies the front of a car. Interior decoration is also another challenging aspect, “he said, revealing that the most fascinating part of any design for him is the rear side because when beautifully crafted it can match any front design and make it more attractive.
Aliyu added that when he sees a modern car, he uses his initiative to come up with something different and donated a favourite car model he designed to Dodge Automobile Company in America. He called it ‘Soft Johnny’.
He mentioned lack of funds as a drawback and some people’s attitude to his talent as ‘a waste of time’. But he expressed happiness that his parents have been encouraging. “They give me some money and also pray for me to succeed.” 
The Sokoto State government has promised Aliyu scholarship to go to Detroit in the United States of America to study Automobile Design at the College for Creative Studies.
The state Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal learnt about Aliyu through a Sokoto indigene based in the US, Jelani Aliyu who is General Motors’ Lead Exterior Designer and the designer of Chevrolet Volt.
Aliyu narrated: “The Governor saw some of my designs on the Internet and discovered that I can be another Jelani Aliyu. He assured me that I am going to be sponsored. He asked me if I wanted to go for studies in America and I answered in the affirmative.” 
According to the young designer, Jelani Aliyu has played a significant role in his introduction to the state governor and in trying to seek admission for him at the College of Creative Studies in the United States.
“I knew Jelani Aliyu through one of his younger brothers and when he came to Sokoto for the state government merit award programme, we met formally. That was when he discovered my talent and promised to help in securing admission for me. Jelani also requested for some of the car models I designed and posted them on the Internet. The Sokoto state governor saw them and sent for me.”
To make a living, Aliyu designs logos and signboards, as well as interior designs.
“I have designed a logo and signboard for Khalifa International Model School, logo for a cement producing company and even interior designs,” he disclosed, adding that the most rewarding of such designs so far was the one he did for the Emir of Yauri’s mosque in Kebbi State. From the proceeds, he bought a motorcycle and other necessities.
But Aliyu is looking forward to his admission to study his dream course, Automobile Design.
Earlier, Governor Aminu Tambuwal announced award of scholarship to Aliyu and described the state as one blessed with brilliant indigenes whose talents would be tapped and nurtured for the progress and development of the state.
He explained that the choice of United States for Bashir Aliyu was because Jelani Aliyu is based there and therefore expected to be a mentor to the young car designer.
The governor had assured of his government’s continued support to exceptional students to further their education in order fulfil their potentials and had directed the state Ministry for Higher Education and the Scholarship Board to work out the process that will lead to Bashir’s admission to any college to further his studies in America.